Next week they may let him make his first preparations for trade negotiations. But if Angela Merkel and President Macron refuse to let those begin in full without yet more concessions from Britain over our bill, we have little option.

We should schedule no further talks without a solid commitment to working out a transition and a free trade deal.

Getty - Contributor

David Davis should not buckle to the EU's demands without knowing what our deal is going to be

Only then should we talk money.

We must also make detailed preparations for a “no deal” — and hope they wake up to the folly of being pig-headed.

Merkel and Macron are jeopardising jobs and living standards across the UK and Europe. Leavers and Remainers, at loggerheads for so long, share a growing disgust for the EU’s brinkmanship.

Hearts here are hardening. We want a deal, but Britain will not be bullied. A survey shows a huge majority backing “no deal” over a bad one.

AFP

If Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron refuse to let trade negotiations begin we will have little option

Brussels does not want that. It would be an economic and political calamity. But as the clock ticks that is the danger.

And if it happens, we fear an explosion of antipathy towards the EU — and the goods it will still want to sell us.

Jez drones on

IT should be a simple yes/no for any ­wannabe Prime Minister.

Would you have authorised a drone strike on Sally “White Widow” Jones to keep our troops out of harm’s way?

PA

Jeremy Corbyn can't answer whether or not he would authorise a drone strike on the White Widow

Jeremy Corbyn wriggled, complaining it was hypothetical. But so are ALL questions about what he would do as PM.